Compare NBN: Top NBN Plans & Deals

Are you trying to figure out which NBN plan best suits your data and speed needs? Canstar Blue has compiled a comparison of the biggest and best National Broadband Network (NBN) providers and their plans to help you decide, from the cheapest with the most basic speeds to unlimited deals with lightning-fast downloads. If you’re in a hurry, check out our ‘key takeouts’ from each NBN provider and you’ll be better-informed about your broadband options.

Before we go into details about the NBN plans and providers we’ve compared, it’s important to understand the difference between the data download speeds you can pay for, to help you put the prices of these plans into perspective. It’s also a good idea if you check the details of your existing broadband plan, to give you a good idea of what download speed you think you will need – and what is going to represent good value for money for you. But first, here is a quick comparison of plans.

NBN Plans – quick glance

This page lists NBN plans from Australia’s biggest providers, but if you’re in a hurry and just want to see a quick selection of deals, we’ve got some top picks below.

Unlimited Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) Plans

The following table shows a selection of published unlimited Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

Unlimited Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50) Plans

The following table shows a selection of published unlimited Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50) plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

Unlimited Standard Evening Speed (NBN 25) Plans

The following table shows a selection of published unlimited Standard Evening Speed (NBN 25) plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

Unlimited Basic Evening Speed (NBN 12) Plans

The following table shows a selection of published unlimited Basic Evening Speed (NBN 12) plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

Compare NBN Plans

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What to consider when comparing NBN plans

There are a few things to consider when comparing NBN plans, especially when you’re looking for the best NBN plan to suit your needs. There are generally four speed tiers to choose from and data inclusions can vary. You’ll also need to consider if you want to sign on to a contract or prefer the flexibility of a month-to-month plan, along with any entertainment extras or bundles you want included. To help you get started with your NBN plan comparisons, we’ll take a look at NBN plans available from some of the most popular NBN providers around.

For more on how to choose the best NBN plans for you, hit the following links to jump to more information on comparing NBN plans, NBN speeds and more. Otherwise, scroll down for more details, plans and prices from some of Australia’s top NBN providers.

Top NBN Plans and Providers

Below is a look at the NBN plans which the top NBN providers are currently offering. Click the link to jump to the provider of your choice or scroll through to check out and compare what each of these NBN providers have to offer:

Telstra NBN Plans

Telstra boasts a simple mix of NBN bundles to pick from, based on varying data allowances. The first step is to decide how much data you think you will need (100GB, 500GB, or unlimited), and then you can start to consider add-on extras such as Telstra TV (which gives you access to Netflix and Stan) and Foxtel.

Telstra offers three speeds — NBN 25, NBN 50 and NBN 100, however NBN 100 is only available to select customers with a FTTP or HFC NBN connection.

Data allowances vary from 500GB up to unlimited data for NBN.

Month-to-month plans feature a $216 modem fee, but this is free when you stay connected for 24 months.

Unlimited data starts at $90 per month.

New connections incur a $99 setup fee.

When you’re thinking about signing up to a Telstra NBN plan, look carefully at the potential start-up costs. Telstra says an additional fee of $240 may apply if you require a professional installation. And if you’re in a new development and not already connected to the NBN, a $300-odd NBN Co New Development Charge may also apply.

Telstra NBN key takeouts:

Impressive entertainment options available (Telstra TV, Foxtel), plus included national calls on all plans.

Customers may also appreciate Aussie Broadband’s range of plan add-ons and options, commitment to customer service, and simple, no lock-in plan structure. With no set-up or exit fees on month-to-month plans, no data overage charges, and the option to bring your own modem, the company’s NBN plans are flexible and bill-shock free.

Optus NBN Plans

Optus recently revamped its broadband plans, with a more streamlined approach allowing customers to more easily navigate their options and choose a bundle that’s right for them – and the headline is that all its NBN offerings now come with unlimited data. Optus is working hard to battle for its image as a premier provider, while still offering competitive prices. The short and skinny is as follows:

Two base NBN plans: An everyday unlimited internet plan starting from $75 per month, or an ‘Entertainer’ plan costing $90 per month for NBN 50 with a Fetch set top box and entertainment pack included. Both options also include Optus Sport.

No lock-in contracts: All plans are month-to-month, with a $99 setup fee and $252 modem fee (modem fees are waived if you stay connected for 36 months).

Speed boost: Boost your plan to NBN 100 from $30 extra per month.

The most exciting plan seems to be the $90 one, which crams a lot of extra stuff in for that $15 premium and makes a great all-round package deal.

iiNet NBN Plans

iiNet was taken over by the TPG Group in late 2015, but maintains its own identity and broadband plans. It has a solid reputation for good customer service, but iiNet is about more than just friendly voices when you pick up the phone, as its NBN packages will attest. There are a total of four speed options, and each includes iiNet’s Netphone (VoIP) service.

There are two plan data options: 500GB or ‘Liimitless’ data – starting at $59.99 (NBN 12) and $69.99 (NBN 25) per month respectively.

Speed boosts are then available: NBN 50 costs an extra $10 each month, and NBN 100 another $10 again. Note that all plans on these tiers come with unlimited data.

The cheapest Premium 100Mbps plan is priced at $99.99, and includes unlimited data. After that you, could pay out $109.99 or $119.99 depending on your call packs preferences. Fetch entertainment bundles are also available from an extra $5 a month, but on six-month plans are often included at no extra cost.

These iiNet plans are available with no lock-in contract, or over six months. However, the former will mean you need to pay extra if you buy a pre-configured modem.

iiNet NBN key takeouts:

Cheap Fetch entertainment options.

Good choice of plans for heavy data users, and those with a need for speed.

VoIP services are available. You can also add the international VoIP pack for an extra $10 per month.

TPG NBN Plans

TPG faces increased competition from the likes of iiNet, Dodo and Optus, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t offer great plans. TPG breaks its NBN plans into three different categories – NBN 12, NBN 50 and NBN 100 – all of which come with a Wi-Fi modem and are bundled with the telco’s Digital Voice Service. Each category includes three plan options based on data allowance or call inclusions.

Basic Plans: TPG NBN 12 plans all come with a maximum download speed of 12Mbps. The cheapest deal at $29.99 comes with just 10GB of data, while the cheapest unlimited plan will cost $59.99. In between you can get 100GB of data for $49.99.

Standard Plus Plans: TPG NBN 50 plans come with a maximum download speed of 50Mbps. The standard configuration comes with unlimited data. The cheapest of these Standard Plus plans is the $69.99 package which brings local, national, mobile and international calls at PAYG rates. You can then add a voice pack for $10 a month.

Premium Plans: TPG’s NBN 100 plans are for serious internet users, bringing a maximum download speed of 100Mbps. You’ll pay a minimum of $89.99, while an extra $20 will get you unlimited calls, plus unlimited calls to 15 countries.

All plans are available with no lock-in contract, or as an 18-month deal. The difference is that if you want the flexibility of leaving any time you like, you’ll need to pay a $99.95 set-up fee.

Vodafone NBN Plans

Vodafone is the last of the ‘Big 3’ mobile carriers – after Optus and Telstra – to offer NBN plans, but has some downright competitive NBN deals. All plans come with unlimited data, and prices start at $65 a month.

There are three speed tiers available: NBN 25, 50 and 100. Plans start at $65 per month for new connections.

All plans come with no lock-in contract by default, but users will pay $180 upfront for the modem.

The modem comes with 4G backup, and is reduced to $0 over 36 months through monthly credits to your account of $5.

Vodafone is also backed by its 4G network, with all routers coming with in-built 4G backup just in case the NBN service is down for whatever reason. Vodafone also backs its plans with a 30-day network satisfaction guarantee, meaning you can leave your contract if you’re not happy. Aside from this, Vodafone also offers big bonuses such as bonus mobile data, free Netflix and other goodies from time to time.

Internode NBN Plans

Internode is a direct subsidiary of its bigger brother, iiNet, and other provider included in this guide. Internode was one of the originators of ADSL2+ internet, and now features as a top telco for NBN, as well as home phone and mobile services. Internode offers unlimited Standard NBN 25, Standard Plus NBN 50 and Platinum NBN 100 speed tiers (labelled ‘Bronze’, ‘Silver’ ‘Gold’, and ‘Platinum’ respectively).

The range of data and speed options available through Internode makes it a great way to create a customised, mix-and-match NBN plan, with unlimited data beginning at $69.99 per month for NBN 25. If you’re looking for something faster, NBN 50 is available from $79.99 per month, and NBN 100 from $99.99, and all options can be purchased on a monthly basis or on a six-month contract. Like iiNet, Internode users can also bundle in a Fetch entertainment pack from $5 extra per month, and call packs from an additional $10 monthly.

MyRepublic NBN Plans

MyRepublic has created a lot of buzz and since its introduction to the Aussie market in 2016 it has amassed a strong following thanks to its cheap prices and no-fuss plans on offer. While you won’t get the ‘cheapest of the cheap’ prices with MyRepublic, it does offer tantalising plans – all with unlimited data.

MyRepublic has decided to focus on NBN plans at the NBN 25, NBN 50, NBN 100/20 and NBN 100/40 speed tiers, with unlimited data on all plans. There are two different plan types available on all speed tiers — no lock-in with option to BYO modem, or 12 month contract. Both the month-to-month and 12-month plans are the same monthly price, but locking in for 12 months will allow you to add on a standard NBN rental modem for $1 (plus postage) — the no lock-in plan requires you to pay full price for the modem. There are also gamer-specific plans at NBN 50 and NBN 100 speeds (both NBN 100/20 and 100/40 speeds), with perks and optimised services included with the aim to create a great experience for online gamers.

Home phone packs are available as add-ons, with a $0 connection offering access to Aussie landline numbers only. You’ll need to pay extra to access calls to Australian mobile and international numbers.

Belong NBN Plans

Belong offers three NBN speed options, all with unlimited monthly data. Starter plans are priced from $55 per month and offer speeds up to 30Mbps; Standard Plus (NBN 50) plans begin at $65 per month; and Premium (NBN 100) plans are available from $90 per month. Customers have the option of going month-to-month on all plans, or signing a 12-month contract for Standard Plus and Starter speeds. If you do decide to skip the contract, you’ll pay an extra $5 per month for both Starter and Standard Plus plans.

Customers who sign up for 12 months will receive an included WiFi modem ($60 on month-to-month plans), and all plans come with $0 standard activation. New NBN customers are also entitled to a free Belong mobile SIM, which comes pre-loaded with $80 of free mobile credit. You can activate your Belong mobile service on any unlocked phone via the Belong smartphone app.

Dodo NBN Plans

Dodo has a reputation for providing cheap and cheerful home broadband, and its NBN plans are no exception. Opting for a simplified approach to an often-confusing product, Dodo allows customers to select from unlimited data or 101GB per month. There are three speed tiers on offer – NBN 25, NBN 50, and NBN 100 – and customers can choose from going contract-free, or signing up for 12 (and enjoying waived modem and setup fees).

With month-to-month modem and fees totalling $120 Dodo customers can save by committing to a longer-term contract. However, if you are looking for a basic NBN 12 plan, you may want to shop around.

Dodo NBN key takeouts:

A mix of plans that are easily tailored to your data and speed requirements.

Other NBN providers to consider

There’s plenty of other providers on the market offering competitive NBN plans. If you’re looking for an unlimited data plan at speeds that will cover the average household, Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50) could be your best bet – we’ve rounded up several additional offers below.

The following table shows a selection of published unlimited Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50) plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their monthly cost first, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

NBN Speeds

The NBN is available to retail customers on four different speed tiers, which ultimately dictate how fast your internet will be (and how much you will pay).

You can get an NBN plan with:

NBN 100 / Premium Speed: Up to 1ooMbps download, 40Mbps upload

NBN 50 / Standard Plus Speed: Up to 50Mbps download, 20Mbps upload

NBN 25 / Standard Speed: Up to 25Mbps download, 10Mbps upload

NBN 12 / Basic Speed: Up to 12Mbps download, 1Mbps upload

When visiting various Internet Service Provider (ISP) websites, you might realise that you have to do some digging to find out how fast you can go for your money. So, this is what you can expect with the NBN.

The higher the speed tier, the faster your internet should be, with an emphasis on ‘should’. While the speeds listed above are theoretical and achievable, speeds in reality may change based on numerous factors, such as demand during peak periods, where you live, and even the weather. The technology through which your NBN service is delivered will also have an impact.

Generally, the faster you go, the more you will need to pay. It’s worth noting, however, that NBN 12 is not actually considered ‘superfast’ internet as it’s comparable with most standard ADSL2+ connections. Instead, NBN 25 is said to be the first superfast speed tier. Now, let’s assess what some of the biggest NBN providers are offering.

Best Value NBN Plans

At Canstar Blue, we have an expert methodology to identify the best value NBN plans available right now. Based on a mix of price and features, here are the best NBN plans available on our database:

We update our picks of the best plans each month to help you find a great deal. See our expert methodology used to determine the best NBN plan. You can also use our NBN comparison tool to see and compare a wider range of NBN plans on offer. Here you will see plans ranked by value with a score between 0 and 10.

See our NBN Providers report for further details and to see the full list.

The Top NBN Providers Evening Speeds as Rated by ACCC

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) releases its findings into the performances of NBN providers about once every quarter. In its reports, the consumer watchdog uses real-world tests and other benchmarking criteria to determine what popular provider most consistently hits its maximum speeds. The ACCC reviewed the following NBN providers, calculating the average download performances during busy hours (7pm to 11pm) — these are the fastest NBN providers by typical evening speeds as of May 2020:

Optus performed at 89.6% of its maximum plan speed

Exetel performed at 87% of its maximum plan speed

TPG performed at 86.7% of its maximum plan speed

Aussie Broadband performed at 86.1% of its maximum plan speed

iiNet performed at 83.9% of its maximum plan speed

Telstra performed at 83.9% of its maximum plan speed

Vodafone performed at 83.0% of its maximum plan speed

MyRepublic performed at 82.9% of its maximum plan speed

Dodo & Primus performed at 82.5% of its maximum plan speed

What makes a good NBN plan?

Generally, a good NBN plan relies on the right combination of three elements:

Price

Speed

Reliability of connection

Every Aussie household wants a reliable connection that won’t drop out or slow down, but the right price and speed may vary between families and individuals. If you’re on a tighter budget, you may be limited in terms of the maximum speed you can comfortably afford each month. In contrast, if you’re a heavy streamer or a big online gamer, you may be happy to pay a little extra for a faster plan. If you do play a lot of online games, you might also be interested in looking at specific NBN plans for gamers.

Finding the perfect-fit NBN plan for yourself or your family often consists of a compromise between price and connection speed. Comparing broadband plans before you commit can help you work out the best deals and cheapest prices, but getting real value will often come down to choosing the best NBN speed tier for your needs.

Research from Canstar Blue has shown that not every NBN user is aware of their current plan speed, which can cause issues if your connection isn’t fast enough to handle your household usage.

When comparing NBN options, it’s important to look not just at the potential download speeds, but also each telco’s listed Typical Evening Speed for plan tiers. This is the average speed users on a plan will experience during peak periods (between 7pm – 11pm), and is generally the most accurate indicator of how fast your plan will actually be. The main four NBN speed tiers are:

Basic Evening Speed (NBN 12): 12/1 Mbps download/upload

Standard Evening Speed (NBN 25): 25/5 Mbps download/upload

Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50): 50/20 Mbps download/upload

Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100): 100/40 Mbps: download/upload

There is an additional NBN Premium Evening Speed tier, which was introduced in early 2020 — the NBN 100/20 speed tier. Some providers offer this speed tier in replacement to the NBN 100/40, so keep this in mind if you’re comparing NBN 100 plans. The only difference between these is the upload speed — 40Mbps or 20Mbps. For most home internet use, upload speed isn’t as important as download speed, however, if you tend to upload large files regularly and you’re looking at NBN 100 plans, you might find the 100/40 speed is more suitable for your needs.

If you’re torn between two speed tiers, it may be safest to pick the faster option (assuming it fits within your budget). With price differences between speeds still averaging at around $10 each month (depending on your telco), making the decision to upgrade may pay off down the line – resulting in an overall better performance from your NBN plan.

How do I find the best NBN plan?

The best NBN plan for you will depend on factors such as how much data you need, what speed tier you’d prefer, and any additional features you’re interested in, not to mention your budget. Here is an example of what the best NBN plan might include for some customers, based on the factors discussed:

Unlimited data

NBN Standard Plus speed (NBN 50)

No contract term

TV package included

$69.99 per month

Keep in mind that unlimited data is fairly standard on most NBN plans, and the speed tier you choose will have the biggest impact on the price you will pay. Going with a no contract plan may also increase the monthly cost slightly compared with a one or two-year contract, not to mention any upfront fees or modem costs. Also, not all providers bundle in a TV or entertainment pack, so this is very much a point of personal preference. Entertainment bundles aren’t for everyone and are often more expensive or are an additional monthly cost — consider whether this extra entertainment option is something you will use and whether it’s really worth the extra cost for your household.

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Other NBN providers

In this report we have reviewed the NBN plans of 10 major service providers, but it’s important to know that there are numerous other telcos out there all desperate to get you connected. You can learn about more of them in our article named: The best NBN providers you’ve never heard of, or browse through selected NBN providers below.

About the author of this page

This page was written and is regularly updated by Canstar Blue’s Telco Editor, Tara Donnelly. Having spent over seven years writing for and editing telco comparison websites, she’s an expert in all things phone & internet, including NBN plans and how to find the best deal for your family. She loves to highlight the next best NBN deals, while also flagging the things you need to be aware of. Tara also acts as a spokesperson for Canstar Blue.

Some providers may cap the provision of unlimited data at maximum speed. Once this cap is reached the provider will then revert you to a slower speed. See providers website for more details.

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